Short and Chunky

I see you are down 19 pounds though and that is fantastic. Hope you can chew soon..best of luck Melinda in Florida

I have no problem with meat or cheese, but I drink a Protein drink a couple of times a week..Generally out of boredom. I have been banded 13 months. Melinda in Florida

Well, today is the first day of school in Jacksonville, Florida. Public schools and the University of North Florida (where I work) all returned to the grind. I guess, I need to return to being a good girl and follow the rules better. Since my accident, I have had so many problems and some of them have been hard to deal with. I have found comfort in public enemy #1 - SWEETS. Yep, if it fits, it gets eaten. I have been lucky and only put on a pound or two - but playtime and the pity party is over. I have to get back to the "new me" the one who won't eat junk. My exercise has been limited to none for now so everything I eat becomes even more important. I must admit, my Dr., Dr. Cywes is actually sympathetic (big surprise to me) and has really been in my corner and helping me through this very though time. Now, that I am back to regular school hours (in pain, but back) I can really concentrate on me and what goes in the old "pie hole". Somewhere in the back of my mixed up brain is my willpower and what I will need to get through this. I have not even been on this site in almost 2 weeks - talk about withdrawal. I told one of the students today that I really miss exercise and getting all sweaty. HAHA, that sounded so funny coming out of me, but it is true. I hope that I will be able to return to some form of exercise very soon. A year ago I would never have said such a thing..That was over 100 pounds ago though..Soooooo Florida is great this time of year..hot and steamy in the AM - hot and wet in the PM and Muggy at night - awh ! you have to love it. In fact right now it is raining so hard, I can't see across the street. I feel for those who are suffering without rain - want some of ours? PLEASE???? Well, guys, that about it for now the lightning is getting bad and I really don't need to add that to my list of pains. Have a great week to my LB buddies. Stay true to yourselves..we made a big step in our life and we have to keep up the good work. Melinda in Florida Short/Chunky and looking good in a short skirt ! hahahahahahaha

Way to go MommyMary...7 pounds down - I would say you are getting the hang of this thing. So very proud of you..I bet your hubby and kids are too. I have been doing this thing for 13 months now and we all have our setbacks....You hang in there and keep up the good work. Go chase the kids around - they may laugh now, but soon, you will start catching them. lol Melinda in Florida

Another weekend has come and gone and boy was I am BAD GIRL. Thanks to my GYM accident and the subsequent concussion..The stoma became inflammed due to my repeated vomitting - so doctor had to remove most of my fluid ---oh great...I finally get to the green zone and he has to remove my fluid - RATS !!!! Of course, being the dedicated bandster like I am, I could not wait to eat the bad stuff again - you know, just for old times sake. BAD GIRL... I made it to Monday without cleaning the fridge entirely out. I must get back on the horse. I can't say get my head back on straight because I still don't know what straight is.,.Concussion still giving me issues. Anyway, I felt it would be good to confess even if no one reads this but me. I see the doctor tomorrow (bariatric) and hopefully he will put some of the fluid back. You guys have a good week. Melinda in Florida (I think?)

I am Tricare Prime South and my approval came in 2 days..As long as everything was in the packet it should come fast. Good luck...' ' Melinda in Florida

Okay, I know we aren't all JOCKS..after all, we would not have needed a lapband if we were the type to hang out in a gym everyday. That being said..I joined a gym a month ago. I was set ! I went everyday, worked out for an hour or more..hired a personal trainer to make sure I was doing things right and working on the right equipment. Well, all had been going well until Monday. I went and did my 45 min on the treadmill (rack of pain) and then did my weight training and stretching etc. I moved on to the Vertical Pullups. Now this is a very hard thing to wrap your head around. You have a strap, with two handles, you lean back and pull yourself upright, then let yourself back down and repeat - making sure to keep you back and body straight.all the time verticle the floor...Well, the strap broke. YEP, busted right in half. Kerplunk to the ground I went..flat of my back and head. The physical therapist came a running and everyone crowded around. No blood, but lots of "stars". I have a bone bruise on my tail bone, muscle spasms in my shoulders, whiplash in my neck and a concussion. Right now, my eyes still don't focus and head is still foggy and swimming a bit. Rescue came, got me up and hauled me off the to ER for CAT scans, Xrays etc. To make matters worse - on Tuesday - I threw up 21 times..well, all your bandsters know what that meant - I threw up because of the concussion, but with all the throwing up, the stomach became swollen and the band shut off my stomach. SOOOO, fluid removed from band..gee thanks..here I thought I was in this "green zone" only to knock my head on a floor. I'd try to think about it, but I can't do that real good right now. This just sucks. I was registered to do my favorite 5K tomorrow night - can't now...Have missed a week of work (our busiest time of the year) and I have to sit in the dark "resting my brain". I'm not even supposed to be reading - I miss you guys but I had to post... Monday I get to visit a Neurologist and an opthomologist then Tues by Bariactric doc..So, what I am getting at. BE CAREFUL in the GYM. I don't care what your trainer says, if you don't really like an exercise - poo on it and don't do it. If you feel something might be dangerous, pass on it. I really thought this was OK - hard, but OK. It was supposed to work on my "core" and hopefully on this fat tummy thing..instead it worked on my head! Never again... Guys, take care of yourselves and have a good weekend. If I get my marbles back, I'll keep you posted but until then - Short and Chunky OUT... Melinda in Florida

You might want to use a cocktail fork if you aren't into baby spoons. Cocktail forks hold very little food. I measure my bites by visualizing a pencil eraser. No bigger than that and sometimes, even that gets semi-stuck. Melinda in Florida

Well, another weekend has come and gone and I am back to work this AM. Had a successful weekend with very few slip ups. I had a NSV moment this weekend..We had some dead spots in our yard so we had dug them up and were re-sodding..well, I was carrying the 40 pound bags of new dirt and throwing the squares of sod while my husband "watched". I asked if he was going to help - he laughed and told me that I was in better shape than he was, so he would just "let me" get my exercise in for the day..Hehe, As tired as I was - not to mention dirty - I kept on with the bags and the sod until the job was done. I acutally amazed myself in the fact that I was not short of breath and did not really get overly tired and no soreness. Now, you to have to know I live in Florida and it was 97 degrees and humid - Hot my friends..A year and 100 pounds ago - none of this would have been remotely possible. But I guess I am in pretty good shape to have done this job. As I sit and look at my tiny plate, with my tiny amount of food (all the time really wanting a pizza followed by some ice cream) I reflect back on this weekend and realize that I have come a long way. I am not only smaller, I am healthier and stronger than I was one year ago. Yep, I still have about 40 pounds more to go (the weight of one bag of dirt - which I thought was HEAVY) so I trudge on..Moving foward, not wanting to go back to the old fat me. I am thankful for the surgery and my weight loss...even if I never reach my goal weight - hey, there is still 100 pounds less of me today and that in itself is a "GOLD MEDAL" performance - if I do say so myself. So, next time you feel down, feeling left out or short changed - go find an old picture of yourself (a fat one) and think back at just how "wonderful life was" when you were heavier - huffing and puffing your way through life, with sore knees, bad ankles and who knows what going on in your insides. Hang in there bandster peeps - we are in this boat together and we will succeed one way or the other. This Saturday I am doing my 5th 5K - this one is up and down the ramps of the Jaguars (NFL) football stadium. It is called the "Stadium Challenge" and it is a tough one. I did it last year and I am crazy enough to do it again. Been working hard on my training. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I make it through such a demanding 5K. Maybe that dirt and sod "training" will come in handy.....I bet my husband will take credit for that one ! Until next time - have a great week and stay true to yourself ! Melinda in Florida

Thanks Deedee...Jen - you are too funny. I can't wait to tell my husband that I have lost 2 1/2 bags of dirt ! you cracked me up... Melinda

To the new people - Angie, Sibley and Roja - welcome to the website. This is a great place and a great place to find support. All three of you sound like you have done well on your pre-op diet and this week/next week is your big days. Woo Hoo... I have been banded a year and I feel great. somehwere out there is 100 pounds that I have lost - I have about 40 more to go. I love/hate my band, but that is the same with anything in life. Sure, I miss certain foods that I can no longer have, but I sure don't miss that 100 pounds of blubber ! Good luck to all three of you - stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. About the Protein shakes.. we all feel your pain. Just keep looking for one YOU like. You won't have to drink them all the time. I have about 1 or 2 a week and then for 1 day following a fill - It does take time ( and you will waste a bunch) but hopefully you will find one you actually like. Have a great week and welcome to the family ! Melinda in Florida

Hello and welcome to the website...Cool questions..here is my answers. 1. I don't think this can be done under a local. They fill your stomach with gas and blow it up, hold you liver in their hands while they put the band around your stomach - nope, I would say not possible. I had mine done in the AM and was home on my couch by late afternoon. 2. I had no lifting restrictions. I was told to take it easy until my post op check but I picked up the dog etc. You will have to listen to your body to decide some of this. I went back to work PT on day 3 and FT on day 5. By day 6 or 7 I felt like a million bucks. I work at a State University. 3. Nothing is better than a BK Whopper ! That being said. I eat the meat and take the lettuce and tomato and make it into a salad and toss the bread. The bread is where it is going to get you. Most bandsters cannot eat bread and I am one of those. In fact, I cannot even eat an entire burger patty anymore - but I still get the taste. I buy a whopper Jr now and take it apart and eat what a can - throw away the bread. I have been banded a year and I feel great. I would do it all over again. I am down over 100 pounds with about 40 more to go. I love to eat, cook and throw parties at my house - for me it just no longer revolves around food - As you go through this process, you will find that there are some foods you can no longer eat and some you can but only in very small amounts. We are all different in some aspects. Good luck with your journey and glad you found this site..it is great. Melinda in Florida

Well, poo on them. I have been banded just over a year. My husband thought I was nuts and that this was just another weight loss gimmick. Some of my friends tried to talk me out of it becuase they thought I might die in surgery. My daughter and mother were in my corner all the way. I made up MY MIND and I went through with the entire process with a very positive can do attitude. Don't let the negitive people get to you. If this is what you feel is right for you, then GO GIRL. Now that I am down over 100 pounds - the negitive people have hushed..Yep, I eat funny now and yep, sometimes it is very hard but this "tool" really helps. Good luck and hang in there. If you really feel this is the right move for you, you will not let their comments bother you. Keep us posted. Melinda in Florida

So sorry you are having such a hard time. You have at least acknowledged that you are strugling and that you are doing all the wrong things. That is a step in the right direction..Now, you and only you have to make up your mind that you are going to loose this weight. The prenancies did not help matters but you can work through this and get back on track. You made the decision to loose weight and have this band installed some time ago- now it is time to get serious. Good luck and we will be looking forward to hearing from you soon. Melinda in Florida

Boy, do I feel your pain. I sat down last week and cried because I was "missing" some of my favorite foods. What a joke that was on me. I was banded 1 year ago, have lost 104 pounds - after my episode - I looked myself and in the mrrior and said "REALLY" what is wrong with you. What on earth was so good, it was worth being 1/2 a whale? I got back in the zone and now I am fine. Yep, those feelings will return and I pray I can maintain my strength and resist the bag of Cookies. Melinda in Florida

Donna - sorry about the sticking episode. They can be rough. I never had luck with the papaya pills or hot liquid - I usually just loose what I ate, relax and wait for it to pass. Don't give up eggs forever. Somedays your band will be tighter than others( plus don't forget to chew). I too have had eggs get stuck and chicken and tuna fish and steak and green Beans - shoot - you name it, I have gotten it stuck. I actually got hot tea stuck once. I have been banded a year and I am still learning. Good luck and glad that it finally passed. Melinda in Florida

Well, I have been banded a year. Over time your choices will change - sometimes the band is too tight for salad and other times - no problem. Here was my day yesterday: Breakfast - Hot Tea Snack - 1/2 Cliff Bar (Protein bar- looks awful, tastes ok) lunch - hamburger patty with A1 sauce (to keep it moist)(4 ozs) 2 ozs boiled squash 1/2 Low Fat cheese stick Snack - SF pudding cup dinner - 4 ozs Tuna salad on a small bed of chopped lettuce with a couple of grape tomatoes. Plus the other half of my cheese stick Yep, I don't eat much. Band has been pretty tight lately. I drank 5 bottles of Water, 1 glass of iced tea and 1 small can of diet coke. I have to admit that I did not get all my protein in yesterday but I will do better today - maybe toss in a Protein shake with unsweetened almond milk. Don't cry, It isn't all that bad..once you get started - eat what you like and what will go down. I love chicken - sometimes yes, somedays not so much. You have to listen to you band (especially once you start getting fills). I have lost 104 pounds with about 40 more to go. So, I do like the band. I do eat pizza (I only eat the toppings - no crust). I eat meat Spagetti (no Pasta - just the sauce with cheese on top), nothing fried, but boy can I grill a good sirlon. I eat vegies but I am a picky eater so I am limited there. No Cookies, cakes, pies or candy bars. Even Ice cream is a no no..Will that stuff go down - yep, but that stuff is what made me 268 pounds so I have to pass now and the band helps me that.My doctor says no fruit although I do have a half of an apple sometimes with Peanut Butter on it. Hope this was some help. Melinda in Florida

Cooper-sounds like you are doing great and right on schedule..Full liquids does help make you feel a bit more "normal"..mushies are right around the corner. So glad to hear you are doing so well and pain was at a minimum. Have a great weekend. Next week, you will be back to your old self again and the surgery thing - will be in the past. Good luck and look forward to hearing from you soon. Melinda in Florida

Funnyface - you need to take a deep breath and try to relax. I had my surgery just over a year ago. I am much older than you (60) and I came through just fine. A small amount of pain (and I am a big baby), Some nausea (but managable) and gas (you gotta walk it off). By day 4, I was back to work full time and you would not have known I even had surgery (unless you saw what I didn't eat). As for the future in eating - don't worry about that now. You will adjust - we all have. Yep, life is going to be different - you should have expected that - that is why you are having the surgery - to get healthy and loose the weight. You can do this. Watch some funny shows on TV tonight and just think - tomorrow is the beginning of a new YOU and no more pre-op diet !!!!! Post when you are up and around and let us all know how you did. I will be praying for you tomorrow. Melinda in Florida Weight loss 104 pounds and counting !!!

I was wondering the same thing. My doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy but the directions say a gallon of (nasty) liquid in a very short period of time - like 30-45 minutes. There is NO WAY. I take almost 15 minutes to drink a bottle of Water. So, for now, I have put the colonoscopy on the back burner - yes, I know that is a bad thing to do, but I am not going to have all the Fluid taken out of my band for a test. It took a year to get to this point. I can't wait to see if anyone had this test and was able to drink all that stuff. Melinda in Florida

Ogranny - thank you for your note and encouraging words. I really needed them. That is what I like best about this website. WOW, 160 pounds - you rock ! that is just amazing and I am sure your family is very proud of you. I was just having one of "those days" when I wrote on my blog. Yesterday, everything I ate stayed down and no pain. Dr. did not take any fluid out of my band. He told me that my problem was ME. Knew he was say that. Anyway, I am doing good today and feeling good. You say for favorite new hobby is shopping for clothes off the rack. WOW, you are soooo right. I went from a 22W (tight at that) to a 12. When I first got my behind in regular clothes I wanted to shout it to the entire mall and wear the tags so everyone could see them. I know that sounds crazy but for those of us who are in those shoes - you get it and understand. I will try the mylanta next time I have an issue - I really hate that feeling but it does come regularly since I have gotten so tight. Have a great week and thank you again for your note. Stay in touch. Melinda in Florida (also a granny - called MamMam)

Well, it has been a week since my last entry and boy can things change in a week. I went from a happy bandster to an unhappy one. Sure, I have lost 104 pounds and sure, I can wear short skirts and I have turned into an exercise fool but this band is another story. It is messing with my mind. Two months ago my Doctor gave me an adjustment. He said he figured that I needed one and it was time to stop messing around and get serious with this stuff. You see, I had hit a wall and not lost anything in 3 months - really- up one, down two, up three, down one..you guys know the program. One of those plateau things - well, tighten he did. I did well in June - down 9 1/2 pounds for the month. July, not so much. I don't see the doctor for another two weeks, but I have not lost one ounce - in fact I think I may have added a pound or two. I am in constant stuck mode. Good food, bad food, ice water, soda, hot tea...doesn't much matter. I do believe this sucker has gotten tighter (on it's own) and I am miserable. I am too tight and need to have some removed. Last night I made a very good dinner - ground beef, with onions, diced tomatoes, bellpeper and melted low fat cheese on top. (I added macaroni for my husband) - YUMMY the house smelled so good - well, two bites and then over an hour of PB, slime and pain. Well, smart me decided to take a teaspoon of ice cream to calm my throat - HAHA, that came back too - so did the hot tea - I just gave up, sat down and cried - what in the H have I done to myself and what did I do to get this much discomfort. I revisited my entire day - nope, I had done nothing wrong..small bites, chewed forever, drank all my fluids, no fluids with food, worked out at the gym for an hour, took a 2 mile walk,I was nice to the dog, my husband and my employees so what in the world did I do to deserve this???? To top it off, now I am having some pain (minor in nature) near my port. OH Pooh..Probably from throwing up too much. Good thing I had plication too or I might be looking at slippage. I am sure it is just the band being too tight and there is nothing to worry about. I have a call into the doctor to see if I can get some taken out today..the point I am trying to make is...Even after 1 year, you are still learning from the band and how to handle things. Other than this latest issue - I feel great, look better than I have in years but the price I am paying is sometimes a bit high. In private, I am miserable at times - can't eat some of the things I used to love, when things get stuck, I am embarrassed and run and hide until it passes. My friends and family tell me that I am the tower of strenght and that "they could never have done this". Would I have the surgery again - well, YEP, but I will tell anyone thinking about it, to be sure they can handle it mentally. I need to get my head straight and back in the game. This setback has me a bit upside down but this will pass. I will have the tiny unfill, I will once again return to being able to eat my morsals and I will continue to trudge onward to reaching my goal weight. For those of you that I talk to on a regular basis - don't panic, I am not jumping off the bridge and not abandoning the ship. It is just a setback. We all have them and I will be fine. So hang in there my friends and try to keep the spirits up. Have a great week. Melinda in Florida

So glad to hear I was not alone in this "avoid the photos" phase. I got to thinking that when I die - my grandkids won't remember me - There is no pictures or if there was, I was the one in the back where all you saw was a piece of my face. Well, that was 104 pounds ago. No, I am not ready to pose for a magazine cover but at least I don't run from the camera any longer. I must admit, after years of running, I do find it hard not to continue that practice. Congrats to all of us who no longer hide from that "Kodak Moment". Melinda in Florida

I can't see my port but I can feel it. I was banded July 2011 and have lost 104 pounds so far. It is kind of neat feeling. As for feeling my band - yep, I can feel cool liquids go through my esphogus and in to the stoma - and sometimes I can feel it go on into the stomach itself. Yes, there are times when it does feel like being pregnant (although not one of my more enjoyable experiences - being pg did not agree with me - threw up for 9 months both times). Good luck with your bands and enjoy this ride. Melinda in Florida

JonnyB- congratulations on your decision (and your blog). You made the right one by staying closer to home for your surgery - it makes sense. I was banded 1 year ago and am doing great. I am older than you (60) but was overweight by about 140 pounds. I am down 104 so far. You sound like you are going into this process with the right midset (slow and steady weight loss). You will stumble, you will hit road blocks but as long as you don't give up and keep going forward you will do great. Stay on this website - it has been a godsend to me and others. Best of luck as you continue on your journey and please keep posting on your blog. Melinda in Florida (USA)